Published: November 23, 2017, words by Mitch Green

Ploy AKA Samuel Smith has been making waves within the UK scene for the past few years. Having initially starting out making music under the pseudonym Samuel, releasing on labels such as BRSTL and Mosca’s Not So Much, Smith took a step back and morphed his style into a more bass-ridden, tribal, broken sound, reminiscent with Bristol. Having released his first EP as Ploy on the prestigious Hessle Audio, Ploy was off to a kicking start, with his Sala One Five EP setting the backdrop for the next few years.

It was around that point that we first interacted with Ploy as he contributed one of the first instalments of our Tracks of the Day series. Since then, Ploy has absolutely smashed it dropping records on Batu’s Timedance, which he continues to be associated with heavily, and most recently Untold’s Hemlock Recordings. Each release has seen Ploy continue to refine his sound, with ‘Unruly‘ venturing deeper into the swirling, broken techno we’ve fallen so in love with. Stepping back from his productions however, Ploy is an ever consistent DJ, having taken the reigns of his own show on Rinse FM featuring artists such as Parris on occasion. I actually saw him support Pearson Sound on Saturday for one of Batu’s praised Timedance parties and his dancehall flared warm-up set the scene for Pearson Sound to enthral the crowd which, to no surprise, he did with finesse.

As part of our All Ears Campaign, we have been asking our favourite artists to share stories that have defined either their experience of tinnitus itself or close encounters with the condition. We have been blown away with the response so far, with artists really pushing the need for hearing protection more than we’ve ever witnessed before. In the case of this Tracks of the Day, we hear from Ploy about four tracks for tired ears, in which he selects four rhythms from the likes of Faithless, Fabolous and Mista Silva that have been great at relieving stress for him in the past.

Fabolous

Breathe

“In those moments of stress and tiredness it’s vital that you remember to concentrate on the basics to get you through. This seminal early naughties rap anthem from ‘Loso incase you ain’t know so’ (Fabolous ) is the perfect reminder to just stop for a few seconds and breathe. Fab advice if you ask me.”

Billy Boyo

One Spliff A Day

“I’m not a smoker myself but 13 year-old Billy swore by a herbal remedy, I’m guessing to help with stress and tiredness? If you ignore the creepy lyrics about what the child Billy got up to with the ladies (apparently) it’s quite a relaxing listen.”

Faithless

Insomnia

“If you’re up late struggling to sleep it’s really important to remember that even though you feel like you’re alone, your really not. Lots of people get tired, even the man that sung this song, he can’t get no sleep either.”

Mista Silva

Okay

“South East London’s finest Mista Silva here with a lovely positive song reminding you that everything will be ok, even if you’re tired and stressed. Really great UK Afrobeats tune this one, one of my faves.”